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APRIL 2017 - We are aware that patients are currently experiencing difficulties in accessing GP appointments; this is due to ongoing sickness.

We are making every effort to increase availability by engaging locum GPs where possible and ask you to bear with us during this difficult time.

We are also aware that this has affected the availability of online appointments for which we apologise. We have made changes which will hopefully have rectified this problem going forward.

Change of Training GPs

Dr Sarah Shooter has now completed her GP Training and will be leaving us on Friday 24th November. We wish her well in her future career.

As we are a training practice it means we will be welcoming a new GP Registrar in her place. This training is an essential part of the Doctors transition from Hospital to General Practice.

Dr Gemma Brierley will join us on Monday 28th November for continuation of her training.

MESSAGE FROM THE DOCTORS

The Doctors have requested that our reception staff ask you for a brief reason for your appointment, including when booking online. This is to assist you in accessing the most appropriate service. They will also ask you for your preferred contact number. We do appreciate the difficulties patients face in the current climate when all our available appointments have been taken. We would kindly ask you to consider other options recommended such as GP appointments at the extended hours service at Bath Street, Widnes walk-in centre, your local pharmacy and Bath Street Wellbeing Centre for family planning and sexual health. The receptionists will have details regarding these servcies. I would remind you that we provide 4 extended hours clinics each week on Monday and Wednesday until 8.30 in the evening. You can also access a range of services including booking appointments online.

YOUR GP CARES - see links included on the main page (see below)

We usually close the last Thursday afternoon of every month for staff training.

We can provide a chaperone, hearing loop or interpreter services. If you need any of these services please advise the receptionist when booking your appointment.

Clinics & Services

SMOKING CESSATION

LiveWire Warrington are the commissioned service for Warrinton patients to support them to stop smoking. Support offered includes online support, self referral, drop-in sessions and 1 to 1 support with an advisor. Detail of how to access the service can be found here: http://livewirewarrington.co.uk/lifestyle/stop-smoking

ANTENATAL CLINICS

The community midwife is available at antenatal clinics on Monday and Tuesday at 13.30.

CERVICAL SMEARS

Cancer of the cervix can be prevented and all female patients aged between 25 - 50 years are advised to have a smear test every three years and between 50 - 64 years every five years. This test is important as it can detect early signs of this disease at a stage when it can be easily treated. The test can only be performed on receipt of an invite from the Health Authority; If you receive a letter from the Health Authority inviting you to have a test done, please arrange this with a practice nurse. Cervical Screening Booklet

FAMILY PLANNING

All the doctors in the practice and Sister Johnson will provide full information about various methods of family planning currently available. However, if you wish to have a coil or contraceptive implants fitted you should book an appointment with Drs Palin or Sharma to discuss this for advice.

CHILD HEALTH SURVEILLANCE

This clinic is held at the surgery. Please make sure that all children under five are registered with the practice for this service. It will ensure that they have paediatric developmental examinations carried out at the correct times in their development.

Baby changing facilities are available within the practice. To use these facilities please ask at reception.

IMMUNISATION/TRAVEL CLINIC

Children

We run a comprehensive childhood vaccination clinic every Wednesday at 2.00pm.

This clinic offers the full range of recommended childhood vaccinations. Written confirmation will be required if a parent does not accompany the child. Baby changing facilities are available within the practice.

Healthcare and vaccination advice for children under five is available from the health visitors attached to the practice who can be contacted on (01925) 867930

Adults

It is advised that certain high risk patients should have an annual vaccination against influenza and a one off vaccination, which will give lifelong protection against pneumonia. These groups include the elderly and those suffering conditions such as chronic bronchitis, asthma, angina or other heart conditions, diabetes, and chronic kidney problems. This service is available from the practice nurses by appointment.

The practice nurses also offer a travel vaccination clinic at which all holiday vaccination needs (except yellow fever) can be dealt with. When phoning for an appointment you will be asked to complete a questionnaire which will be passed to the nurse to review which vaccinations will be required.

HEALTH PROMOTION CLINICS

Prevention is better than cure and so we encourage all our patients to share the responsibility for their health. Many of the most serious diseases can be prevented by a healthy lifestyle and without the need for drugs. We hold a wide variety of health promotion clinics at the surgery, usually carried out by our fully trained practice nurses, following systems agreed with the doctors. A doctor is always available for advice during these clinics.

WELL PERSON CLINIC

As a Department of Health initiative patients between the ages of 40 and 74 are recommended to have a Health Check every 5 years to assess the risk of developing conditions e.g. heart disease, diabetes. Please see a receptionist to book an appointment (you must bring a urine sample to any Health Check appointment).

ASTHMA CLINIC

Patients who have asthma will be able to have regular follow-up at this clinic where they will also be offered advice regarding their condition. Please bring your inhalers/devices to your appointment.

HYPERTENSION (HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE) CLINIC

High blood pressure can, in the long term, increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. This clinic offers advice about general lifestyle risk factors for cardiovascular disease, particularly in relation to high blood pressure. Patients who have raised blood pressure are monitored on a six monthly basis and the nurse can refer to the GP as necessary.

DIABETIC CARE

Patients who have diabetes are recommended to have regular six monthly follow-ups at this clinic. They will also be offered advice regarding their condition and ongoing monitoring will be discussed and agreed.

DIETETIC CLINIC

These clinics are run by a qualified dietician or practice nurse who can provide advice on a wide range of dietary matters, including weight reduction, diabetic and cholesterol-lowering diets.

CHAPERONES

Should you require the services of a chaperone during a consultation with a doctor, for an examination of an intimate nature, this can be arranged. Where possible, please let the receptionist know at the time you book the appointment. During a consultation you may ask the doctor for a chaperone. If this cannot be arranged at the time you can make another appointment and 'book' the chaperone for this.